Summer is almost here, and keepers are gearing up for the busy warm months ahead. Bai Yun and Xiao Li Wu are both still in the temporary enclosures until more construction is completed. At this point we don’t want to release a hard date that they will be moved back to the normal viewing, but please keep your eyes peeled for updates from Zoo staff about any animal movement.
All the bears are doing well, and we have even seen some great increases in weights over the last few weeks. Bai Yun is currently up to 238 pounds, and has been doing most of her eating in the early morning, and late evening. Again, as we are headed into some warm weather, please be patient if you see that she is sleeping in the cave; give her some time to cool off in the shade. All of our bears do have a water feature so they can easily cool off, and lay in a body of water. Although I’ve seen Bai Yun in the past go into her pool, I haven’t seen anything lately, and again this is always up to the bear.
Xiao Li Wu is up to 181.2 pounds, and growing! He has been great for our many guests that come to the viewing area, and he is usually the one that is awake. Recently, as I have watched keepers cleaning his exhibit, I notice that he doesn’t always have that much bamboo left over. This is great to see, and we look forward to watching him grow through the next several months. About to be 5 years old soon, we are looking forward to what this bear has in store for the future.
Remember, when it does begin to warm up the pandas do like to go into the shade of the cave. They may stay there for long periods of time, but for the most part I would say it lasts about 45 minutes or so before one starts moving into view. Please be patient with our staff as they are doing their best to offer the best experience for the guests, and animals here at the Zoo. Keepers do their best to entice animals out into viewing, but again in the heat of the day most animals are going to take advantage of having a choice of relocating to a cool spot.
For any future visits to the Zoo, my best suggestion is to keep your smart phone handy so that you may be able to log onto the Zoo website, push Panda Cam, and you will be able to see the live feed and determine if you would like to come to the viewing area. As we head into our summer season we will still be expecting large numbers to come down to the panda area. We want everyone to have a great experience, but always be prepared for some animals taking a break!
Gao Gao is continuing to do well behind the scenes. Staying alert and interacting well with keepers, and his weight is also up to about 181.5 pounds. Gao Gao continues to get his blood pressure taken regularly, and is responding so well to keepers, and veterinary staff. Thank you to all of you that have been checking up on him, we know how much these animals mean to you!
Anastasia Jonilionis is a panda keeper and narrator. Read her previous blog, Caring for a Gentle Giant.
when will construction at panda trek be finished? what is the date?
when will the rest of the habitats at africa rocks open up?
and when will the bridge be done?
Blog Monitor’s note: The bridge will open near the end of July. The plan is to move the pandas back into Panda Trek sometime in August. Africa Rocks habitats will continue to open this summer and into the fall.
Ah, after bamboo leaves breakfast, it is time for mid-morning nap. Best outdoor location, for a furry panda, is inside artificial cave, shading from summer sun.
Dear J Panda,
We are thrilled that, your family will be visiting San Diego Zoo, this August. Red carpet welcome, plus Southern California hospitality, await fans from down under. Make sure to bring along, wide-brimmed hats, for shielding from ultraviolet rays.
Although the pandas appear to feel the heat, rapid breathing etc., they dont seem to favour their pools to wallow or wade in at the heat of the day. Rather, choosing sleep in the shady cave or draped over a log. They know what spots are cool & locate them according to their comfort levels. Last week Bai Yun was seen searching the course of her waterfall, even reaching up to where it starts in the rock wall but it was not running. Both of us wondered why it was off? They are amazing beings & I get so much pleasure watching them. Thanks for the update on Construction. My family ?????[Australian] will be at the Zoo in Aug, the 5&8yo boys are thrilled to see ?Pandas (sadly, i can’t go). I will watch PandaCam & co-ordinate to let them know if MrWu or Bai Yun is awake. ??
Per SDZ, China has granted Wu temporary reprieve, by extending his U.S. stay, through 7/2018.
Separately, loan agreement on Gao Gao and Bai Yun, runs through 2018, as well.
Presumably, come late summer/fall of next year, there would be official press release, on their future status. Be patient, stay tuned.
Folks, it will take one to two years, at least, before I reach adulthood. Any talk now, about breeding, is premature. Let me enjoy life, as a sub-adult.
It is high time, for an afternoon nap, within shady outdoor cave, amidst cool mist and gentle ocean breeze. What a relief, from recent heat wave, for a furry creature like me!
For every overseas-born panda, upon attaining sexual maturity, there will be many more mating choices available annually, in China. This would ensure, sustainability of healthy, genetically diversified, managed-care population, from species conservation standpoint. Exhibit A: SDZ-born Hua Mei, Xiao Liwu’s elder half-sister. Her offspring were sired by multiple different fathers.
Thank you so much for the update! We do love our pandas and we can see that you take exceptional care of them, as you love them too! Thank you for all your hard work. ♥♥♥
Will San Diego Zoo keep Mr. Wu or will he be moved to Chine for the breeding program?
Cool mist plus waterfall, among other measures, further provide summer comfort, for giant pandas.
Additional sun shade screens are now installed, over outdoor climbing structures; to shield SDZ pandas, from ultraviolet rays, during “lazy days” of the summer.
Nice to know, preparations by San Diego Zoo, to maintain cool comfort for furry pandas, during the summer.
Climate change, has affected their ancestral homeland, across 6 mountain ranges. Scientific data, collected over four decades, have documented temperature rise up to 30 degrees Centigrade (about 85 degrees Fahrenheit), at panda habitats.
Potentially, such heat stress could cause dehydration, metabolic problems, plus impacting reproduction and cubs’ health. There are proposals, to plant more trees & bamboo, allowing pandas to migrate. Artificial caves could be constructed, near streams, to provide shelter, shading them from sun rays.
Per SDZ, giant pandas are weighed weekly. Pre-breakfast weighing, will ensure their bellies are not yet, full of ingested bamboo.
[Yes, they are provided, with nighttime bamboo snacks, at their dens. However, due to partial digestibility of this staple, within carnivorous gut, in setting of fast transit time; most should be defecated, as greenish-hued “panda pooh”].
Bamboo is an effective panda laxative. Its insufficient intake, could lead to painful passage of, bloody mucus stools.
Fun facts: Panda weight and nutrition
Once, a captive panda pair elsewhere, ballooned to over 300 lbs; while on high fat/calorie diet. Subsequently, scientists realized they were over-weight, compared to wild counterparts.
Per San Diego Zoo, diet for pandas here, consists of 99% bamboo (culms, shoots plus leaves). The rest (apples, yams, carrots, diluted honey water/apple juice etc.), are fed selectively, as supplements a/o husbandry treats. Intake is carefully monitored, and pandas are weighed regularly; to ensure adequate nutrition, while guard against animal obesity.
Body Wt. of Adult Pandas, per ‘Giant Panda Fact Sheet/San Diego Zoo Global Library/Physical Characteristics’:
Adult Males: 85 – 125 kg. (187 – 276 lbs.) average.
Adult Females: 70 – 100 kg. (154 – 220 lbs.) average.
At 181.5 lbs., that is roughly Gao Gao’s usual baseline, given his small stature.
At 238 lbs., Bai Yun is below her previous weight of 254 lbs.
At 181.2 lbs., Xiao Liwu should continue to gain weight, as he grows into adulthood. His small size, probably reflects genetic trait, inherited through father Gao, and maternal grandmother.
Presumably, these recorded weights were obtained, prior to bamboo breakfasts.
Bai Yun 238 pounds… wow… I want to hug her!
Summer time is also panda birthing season. Already starting early this year, it will be of interest; to see whether both SDZ-born Hua Mei (b. 1999), plus Su Lin (b. 2005), delivering any new grandchildren for Bai Yun & Gao Gao (nephews/nieces for Xiao Liwu). Keep your paws crossed.
QUESTION:
Wild pandas tend to be most active, at dawn and dusk.
Do SDZ pandas, follow similar diurnal activity patterns?
Thanks.